Gift of Care
You're probably looking into the Gift of Care program because you
need more than health care services-you are also in need of financial
assistance-or, as a responsible party to a loved one, you've
come to the heartbreaking realization that the cost
of care has exceeded your abilities.

For more than 115 years, the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago and Franciscan
Communities have fulfilled the desperate need of the elderly and
underserved. The Gift of Care program is one of the ways developed
to provide additional outreach services to the underprivileged population. Long-term
care is very expensive and many will not be able to pay for all
of the necessary services out of his or her own income and resources.
That’s where the Gift of Care can help.

Commitment
The Gift of Care program is
a commitment by Franciscan Communities to underwrite all or a portion
of a resident’s care for a specific
period of time. It is based upon the criteria
which will be discussed later.

As a not-for-profit organization, Franciscan Communities promotes and
cares for the interests of older adults in an environment of dignified
living, caring and companionship. In the spirit and tradition of the
Catholic Church, the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago and our foundress,
Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik, we have been of service to the needy and
the poor for over 115 years. This program is one of the ways we reach
out specifically to those who need us most.

Each Franciscan Community strives to provide the Gift of Care program
for applicants or existing residents, who desperately need financial
assistance with the expenses associated with our compassionate services.

Depending on the individual circumstances, a person may be either fully
or partially supported financially.

Application
Each Franciscan
Community, as well as our Corporate Review Committee, administers
the Gift of Care program. Applications are available in the office
of the Executive Director/Administrator at each community. The resident
or their representative must complete the application and agree to
meet the guidelines established. The completed application is then
submitted to the Community Review Committee for final approval. The
committee meets regularly to consider all such requests for financial
assistance.

The Corporate Review Committee and the CEO of Franciscan Sisters of
Chicago Service Corporation are the only parties that can guarantee
that an applicant or resident will receive support under the Gift
of Care program.

Criteria
The amount of assistance a resident receives
will be based on the resident and/or guarantor’s ability to
pay. In addition, it will be based on the availability of financial
assistance funds.

Criteria
Priority
Applicants and existing residents will
be considered for the Gift of Care program based on the following
criteria, listed by priority:

Acceptance
Acceptance into the Gift of Care program
depends on both financial need and the level of financial assistance
funds currently available within the community. There may be a waiting
list of applicants for the program. If funding is not available, or
a resident does not qualify for the Gift of Care program, the local
Franciscan Community will offer assistance in finding other appropriate
options.

Please contact the office of the executive director/administrator at
Franciscan Communities for an application and to learn more.